Securing Device for Large Scale Cover Systems

ABSTRACT

A securing system for a covering device comprising a polymeric shell including a receptacle portion and an optional cover portion, the receptacle portion being formed of a base portion and one or more walls and at least one opening formed within the shell, wherein the opening is adapted to receive a material capable of flowing and optionally curing to form a filled receptacle portion, the filled receptacle portion forming a solid weight for use in securing a covering the covering device.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present teachings relate generally to securing systems formaintaining large, flexible covers in a desired location. Morespecifically, the teachings relate to devices for receiving flowablematerials that form solid weights for securing covering systems.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is common that dirt, rocks, or other heavy objects such as bricks orpavers are utilized for securing tarps and other large cover fabrics,especially for crop cover materials. Alternatively, burlap or polymer(e.g., Nylon) sacks filled with sand or pebbles may be utilized. Thereare a variety of issues that arise by using these types of materials.These sacks are not environmentally sound, as they frequently degradeand leave plastic debris or pebbles in the field when they degrade.Further, the material for forming the sacks cannot withstandenvironmental conditions, requiring frequent replacement, often failingto last a single growing season. As an additional issue, it takessignificant time to fill the sacks with sand, pebbles or other items.

Accordingly, it would be beneficial to have a securing device that isenvironmentally friendly, easily produced, and can withstand significantenvironmental stress over time without degrading.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present teachings meet one or more of the above needs by theimproved devices described herein.

In one aspect, the present teachings provide for a securing system for acovering device comprising a polymeric shell including a receptacleportion and an optional cover portion, the receptacle portion beingformed of a base portion and one or more walls, and at least one openingformed within the shell, wherein the opening is adapted to receive amaterial capable of flowing and optionally curing to form a filledreceptacle portion, the filled receptacle portion forming a solid weightfor use in securing a covering the covering device. A covering device isdefined herein as any flexible material (which may be a woven materialor non-woven material) including but limited to a fabric, a tarp, a cropcover, a sheet, or the like and any of these terms may be utilizedinterchangeably herein.

The receptacle portion may include at least one end wall and at leastone side wall. The at least one opening may be located in the at leastone end wall. The material capable of flowing may cure and solidify overtime to form the solid weight. The polymeric shell may be cut andremoved from the solid weight. The solid weight may be used to secure acovering device while the polymeric shell surrounds the solid weight oronce the polymeric shell is removed from the solid weight. The polymericshell may comprise a material that may or may not be substantially UVresistant. The solid weight may be formed by concrete, sand, pebbles,stones, or rocks. The cover portion may be a cap that engages thereceptacle portion in a snap-fit or screw mechanism.

The covering device is a tarp. The system may include a pourableconcrete for locating into the opening in a flowable state. Thepolymeric shell may include one or more indentations. The polymericshell may comprise a thermoplastic material. The polymeric shell may beformed from one or any combination of polyethylene, high densitypolyethylene (HDPE), low density polyethylene (LDPE), polyamide,polyethylene terephthalate (PET), biaxially-oriented polyethyleneterephthalate (BoPET), polypropylene, polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride,polyurethane, silicone, or synthetic rubber. The polymeric shell may beformed from one or any combination of wood, hemp, or natural rubber. Thepolymeric shell may be recyclable. The polymeric shell may be re-usable.

The receptacle portion may include an internal surface and an externalsurface. The internal surface and/or external surface may include one ormore rib structures. The internal surface may be substantially smooth toproduce a solid weight having a smooth surface.

The teachings herein further envision a method for forming a securingsystem for covering devices comprising: forming a polymeric shellincluding a receptacle portion having a base portion and at least onewall; locating a substantially flowable material optionally capable ofcure into the opening to form a solid weight; and optionally cutting thereceptacle portion from the solid weight.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a perspective view of an illustrative shell in accordancewith the present teachings.

FIG. 1B is a side view of the shell of FIG. 1A.

FIG. 1C is a top-down view of the shell of FIG. 1A.

FIG. 1D is a profile view of the shell of FIG. 1A.

FIG. 1E is a cross-section view of the shell of FIG. 1A taken along theline shown in FIG. 1D.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the shell of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the plastic shell of FIG. 2 filling withconcrete.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a plurality of filled plastic shells asshown in FIG. 3

FIG. 5A shows a securing device as shown in FIG. 1 located in a shell asshown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 5B shows the securing device of 6A removed from the shell of 6A.

FIG. 5C shows the resulting securing device as shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a securing device as shown in FIG. 1being removed from a shell as depicted in FIG. 2.

FIG. 7 depicts a plurality of securing devices ready for use.

FIG. 8 depicts a burlap sack in accordance with the prior art.

FIG. 9 depicts a plurality of securing device of FIG. 1 in use.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a securingdevice in accordance with the present teachings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present teachings meet one or more of the above needs by theimproved devices and methods described herein. The explanations andillustrations presented herein are intended to acquaint others skilledin the art with the teachings, its principles, and its practicalapplication. Those skilled in the art may adapt and apply the teachingsin its numerous forms, as may be best suited to the requirements of aparticular use. Accordingly, the specific embodiments of the presentteachings as set forth are not intended as being exhaustive or limitingof the teachings. The scope of the teachings should, therefore, bedetermined not with reference to the above description, but shouldinstead be determined with reference to the appended claims, along withthe full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. Thedisclosures of all articles and references, including patentapplications and publications, are incorporated by reference for allpurposes. Other combinations are also possible as will be gleaned fromthe following claims, which are also hereby incorporated by referenceinto this written description.

This application claims the benefit of the filing date of U.S.Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/703,978, filed on Jul. 27, 2018, thecontents of this application being hereby incorporated by reference forall purposes.

The teachings herein contemplate a unique approach for providingsecuring structures for large tarps or other covering systems.Typically, crop cover fabrics are used in planting operations to covercrops and/or gardens in an effort to protect the plants fromenvironmental damage and damage from insects and animals. Such tarpstructures may also be utilized to cover and protect mechanicalequipment from environmental damage.

The system described herein includes use of a shell structure includinga receptacle portion that receives a flowable material. The flowablematerial may cure and harden, or the flowable material may remainflowable, requiring a cover portion or cap to maintain the flowablematerial within the receptacle portion. The receptacle portion may beformed of a single piece as a unitary construction. The receptacleportion may be formed as a multi-piece construction. The shell may beformed to include an opening for receiving the flowable material. Theresulting weight of the shell after filling and/or after cure, should beat least 5 pounds, at least 7 pounds, at least 10 pounds, at least 12pounds, or even at least about 15 pounds or more.

The shell may include one or more walls. The shell may extend along alongitudinal axis. The shell may include a base portion that may beconvex and may be formed along the bottom of the receptacle portion. Theshell may be formed of one wall, two walls, three walls or four walls,or five walls. The shell may include two end walls that extendsubstantially perpendicular to the base wall. The end walls may also beformed substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The shellmay include at least two side walls. The side walls may extend the fulllength of the shell. The side walls may extend at an angle that is skewrelative to the base portion. The side walls may extend substantiallyperpendicular to the base portion. The side walls may extend to meet oneanother. Alternatively, the side walls may extend upward to contact atop wall that lies substantially parallel to the base portion.

The opening may be formed in any of the aforementioned walls. Theopening may be formed in an end wall. The opening may have any shape.The opening may be substantially circular or substantially ovoid inshape. The opening may be rectangular in shape. The opening may beformed to receive a cover portion (e.g., a cap). The opening may includea beveled edge or the edge may be substantially flush with the wall inwhich the opening resides. The opening may be threaded to receive ascrew cap.

The shell may be formed to have one or more indent portions, such that aportion of one or more of the walls is non-planar. The indent portionsmay be formed by a curved wall portion or a substantially angled wallportion. The indent may be formed by a 90° angle. The indent may beformed at an obtuse angle or acute angle. The indent may include one ormore rib structures.

The shell may include an internal surface and an external surface. Oneor more of the internal surface and external surface of the receptacleportion may include one or more ribs formed in the shell material. Theinternal surface of the shell may be substantially smooth so that aresulting cured flowable material has a smooth surface.

The material located into the shell may be one that is capable offlowing. The material may cure and solidify over time forming a solidweight. The shell may then be removed from the solid weight. The solidweight may be used to secure a covering device (e.g., a flexible devicesuch as a tarp or crop cover fabric) while the shell surrounds the solidweight. Alternatively, once the shell is removed from the solid weight,the solid weight may be utilized without the shell, and the shell can berecycled.

The shell may comprise a material that is substantially UV resistant.The shell may comprise a material that is recyclable. The shell may beformed of a material so that it can be re-used to receive other flowablematerials. The shell may comprise a thermoplastic material. The shellmay be formed from one or any combination of polyethylene, high densitypolyethylene (HDPE), low density polyethylene (LDPE), polyamide,polyethylene terephthalate (PET), biaxially-oriented polyethyleneterephthalate (BoPET), polypropylene, polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride,silicone or synthetic rubber. The shell may be formed from one or anycombination of wood, hemp, or natural rubber.

The flowable material may be one that cures and solidifies over time,such as concrete. Alternatively, the flowable material may be one thatremains flowable such as sand, pebbles, rocks or the like. It ispossible that the flowable material is a liquid material such as water.The resulting solid weight may thus comprise a cured concrete materialwith the shell removed or still on. The resulting solid weight maycomprise the shell filled with a flowable material.

The resulting solid weights, or combined solid weight and shell may beutilized to hold a covering system in place, particular covering plants.The covering system may be any flexible material such a tarp, row coverfabric, blanket, plastic sheath, or any other material that may beutilized as a protective measure and requires securing to a groundsurface. As an added benefit, the solid weights and shells describedherein are capable of securing a covering without being driven into thesubstrate. Thus, there are no challenges relating to hard or softsubstrates or extra installation steps such as those associated withstakes and the like.

The shell may include an opening and the opening may receive a flowablematerial, which may be a flowable material that remains flowable or maybe a material that cures and solidifies over time to form the solidweight. In the event that the material cures and solidifies, the shellportions may be removed from the solid weight and the shell portions andrecycled. Shells that are filled with flowable materials that do notcure, can be emptied and re-used. It is possible that the shells may beshaped to allow for simplified stacking in storage.

The resulting solid weights, or shells containing solid or flowablematerial may then be utilized to secure a covering system in place. Thesolid weights and/or shells are capable of withstanding significantenvironmental damage from UV light, moisture, heat, cold, rain, ice andthe like. They are also resistant to damage from insects, birds andother animals.

The shell may be formed by an injection molding process. The shell maybe formed by an extrusion process or a pultrusion process. The shell maybe blow molded.

As shown for example in FIGS. 1 and 2, the shell 10 includes areceptacle portion 12 having a base portion 14 and two end walls 16. Anopening 18 is formed in one of the end walls 16. The opening 18 isadapted to receive a flowable material (not shown). The shell mayinclude an indent 20, which may facilitate transport and/or storage ofthe shell. The shell 10 is shown with two side walls 22 which intersecta top wall 24 that is arranged parallel to the base portion 14.

As shown for example in FIG. 3, the shell 10 is shown filled with aconcrete material 26. The opening 18 is visible as having received theconcrete material 26.

As shown for example in FIG. 4, a plurality of shells 10 are filled withthe concrete material 26 in series.

FIG. 5A shows an example shell 10 filled with concrete 26. FIG. 5B showsthe shell 10, including the receptacle portion 12 being removed from theresulting solid weight 28. FIG. 5C shows the resulting solid weight 28after the shell has been removed.

FIG. 6 shows a resulting solid weight 28 forming the securing device.

FIG. 7 shows a plurality of stacked solid weights 28 after having beenformed by locating concrete 26 into a plurality of shells (not shown).

The prior art burlap sacks 30 are shown at FIG. 8, while FIG. 9 shows aplurality of solid weights 28 formed by shells (not shown) replacing theburlap sacks 30 of the prior art and securing a crop cover 32 in place.

FIG. 10 shows a further example of the shell 10, including thereceptacle portion 12 and a cover portion 34. The opening 18 is locatedin an end wall 16 of the shell. The shell includes an indent 20 thatruns parallel to the longitudinal axis 36 of the shell 10.

Unless stated otherwise, dimensions and geometries of the variousstructures depicted herein are not intended to be restrictive of theinvention, and other dimensions or geometries are possible. Pluralstructural components can be provided by a single integrated structure.Alternatively, a single integrated structure might be divided intoseparate plural components. In addition, while a feature of the presentinvention may have been described in the context of only one of theillustrated embodiments, such feature may be combined with one or moreother features of other embodiments, for any given application. It willalso be appreciated from the above that the fabrication of the uniquestructures herein and the operation thereof also constitute methods inaccordance with the present invention.

The preferred embodiment of the present invention has been disclosed. Aperson of ordinary skill in the art would realize however, that certainmodifications would come within the teachings of this invention.Therefore, the following claims should be studied to determine the truescope and content of the invention.

The explanations and illustrations presented herein are intended toacquaint others skilled in the art with the invention, its principles,and its practical application. Those skilled in the art may adapt andapply the invention in its numerous forms, as may be best suited to therequirements of a particular use. Accordingly, the specific embodimentsof the present invention as set forth are not intended as beingexhaustive or limiting of the invention. The scope of the inventionshould, therefore, be determined not with reference to the abovedescription, but should instead be determined with reference to theappended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which suchclaims are entitled. The disclosures of all articles and references,including patent applications and publications, are incorporated byreference for all purposes. Other combinations are also possible as willbe gleaned from the following claims, which are also hereby incorporatedby reference into this written description.

What is claimed is:
 1. A securing system for a covering devicecomprising: i) a polymeric shell including a receptacle portion and anoptional cover portion, the receptacle portion being formed of a baseportion and one or more walls; ii) at least one opening formed withinthe shell; wherein the opening is adapted to receive a material capableof flowing and optionally curing to form a filled receptacle portion,the filled receptacle portion forming a solid weight for use in securinga covering the covering device.
 2. The securing system of claim 1,wherein the receptacle portion includes at least one end wall and atleast one side wall.
 3. The securing system of claim 2, wherein the atleast one opening is located in the at least one end wall.
 4. Thesecuring system of claim 1, wherein the material capable of flowingcures and solidifies over time to form the solid weight.
 5. The securingsystem of claim 4, wherein the polymeric shell is cut and removed fromthe solid weight.
 6. The securing system of claim 4, wherein the solidweight is used to secure a covering device while the polymeric shellsurrounds the solid weight or once the polymeric shell is removed fromthe solid weight.
 6. The securing system of claim 1, wherein thepolymeric shell comprises a material that is substantially UV resistant.7. The securing system of claim 1, wherein the solid weight is formed byconcrete, sand, pebbles, stones, or rocks.
 8. The securing system ofclaim 1, wherein the cover portion is a cap that engages the receptacleportion in a snap-fit or screw mechanism.
 9. The securing system ofclaim 1, wherein the covering device is a tarp.
 10. The securing systemof claim 1, including a pourable concrete for locating into the openingin a flowable state.
 11. The securing system of claim 1, wherein thepolymeric shell includes one or more indentations.
 12. The securingsystem of claim 1, wherein the polymeric shell comprises a thermoplasticmaterial.
 13. The securing system of claim 1, wherein the polymericshell is formed from one or any combination of polyethylene, highdensity polyethylene (HDPE), low density polyethylene (LDPE), polyamide,polyethylene terephthalate (PET), biaxially-oriented polyethyleneterephthalate (BoPET), polypropylene, polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride,polyurethane, silicone, or synthetic rubber.
 14. The securing system ofclaim 1, wherein the polymeric shell is formed from one or anycombination of wood, hemp, or natural rubber.
 15. The securing system ofclaim 1, wherein the polymeric shell is recyclable.
 16. The securingsystem of claim 1, wherein the polymeric shell is re-usable.
 17. Thesecuring system of claim 1, wherein the receptacle portion includes aninternal surface and an external surface.
 18. The securing system ofclaim 17, wherein the internal surface and/or external surface includesone or more rib structures.
 19. The securing system of claim 17, whereinthe internal surface is substantially smooth to produce a solid weighthaving a smooth surface.
 20. A method for forming a securing system forcovering devices comprising: forming a polymeric shell including areceptacle portion having a base portion and at least one wall; locatinga substantially flowable material optionally capable of cure into theopening to form a solid weight; optionally cutting the receptacleportion from the solid weight.